FIL-AMERICAN pole vaulter Elijah Cole will join world no. 3 Ernest John “EJ” Obiena in the Philippines’ quest for medals in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
The national coaching staff, headed by Jojo Posadas, made their final recommendations two weeks after the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships at the Ilagan Sports Complex in Isabela last month.
The San Diego, California-based Cole was included in a 77-man roster of the national athletics team, having earned the nod of the national coaching staff.
Cole, whose mom is from Nueva Ecija, replaced an injured Hoket delos Santos, following a 5.05- meter leap during the meet.
Fil-American standout Alyanna Nicolas, a bronze medallist in the last SEA Games, is also returning with Ohio-based Natalie Uy in the women’s pole vault.
Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association secretary general Edward Kho said they are hopeful that the new members of the national team can help the Philippines gain more medals in the biennial meet.
The Philippines seeks to improve on its 5-7-14 gold-silver-bronze medal performance the last time around.
The list also included Fil-Americans Angel Frank, Danae Manibog-Gatewood and Lauren Hoffman. Frank is listed in the women’s 400-meters, the 4×100 and the 400-meter relays with the two.
But the three of them still need to submit their Philippine passports to confirm their participation.
Frank, who was part of the First Team All-American Honors in the 4×400 after University of South Carolina that finished fifth at the NCAA Championship in Oregon last year, got the attention of the national coaches when she surpassed a Philippine national record.
This was after Frank had a 1-2 finish with Manibog-Gatewood for the gold and silver medal in the women’s 400-meter run of the Philippine Championships.
Two other Fil-heritage tracksters, sprinter Umajesty Williams and Spain-based John Cabang, will be part of the men’s 4×100 meter relay team.
Olympians Eric Cray and Kristina Knott have kept their old spots in the sprints, and so did Robyn Brown, Kayla and Kyla Richardson.
Middle-distance runner Alfrence Braza reclaimed his slot in the men’s 1500-meter run, after his time (3:56.35) he submitted during the Ilagan meet surpassed his bronze-medal clocking in last year’s SEA Games.